Russia Slams Western Threats of Fresh Sanctions Over Ukraine

Russia is warning Western countries against imposing more sanctions against Moscow, saying such threats show the West is opposed to following through on a truce for eastern Ukraine. Both the United States and some leaders in Europe have threatened to impose tougher sanctions against Moscow if it does not stop supporting pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday called those threats an attempt to "deflect attention" from the need to follow through on the terms of a cease-fire, which has only recently begun to take hold. "Behind these calls are hidden the lack of desire of these actors - the corresponding countries, organizations, the United States, the European Union, to achieve what was laid out in the Minsk agreements," Lavrov said at a news conference. Ukraine's military has reported a reduction in rebel attacks over the past three days, but on Thursday warned again that the separatists continue to attack government targets, including on the outskirts of the port city of Mariupol. The rebels on Tuesday said they began pulling out heavy weapons from the front lines, as required under the cease-fire. Some journalists reported seeing weapons being removed, but European monitors have not yet independently confirmed the pull-out. Ukraine's military has said it will not begin removing its heavy weapons until the rebel attacks stop completely. Kyiv officials have also reserved the right to return fire. At his news conference Thursday, Lavrov accused the West of putting forward "ridiculous" demands. "Everyone understands perfectly well that there are no ideal truces and ideal cease-fires," he said. The war of words between Russian and Western officials has intensified over the past week, with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry accusing Moscow of engaging in "the most overt and extensive propaganda exercise that I've seen since the very height of the Cold War." The U.S. and its European allies accuse Russia of sending arms and fighters across the border to assist the rebels. Russia denies this accusation, saying the fighters are volunteers. White House officials say they are still considering arming the Ukrainian army, who have at times been outgunned by the separatists.



from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1A9Lp3b